“Ayaw sana niya magkomento pero since nagbotohan na naman sa Kamara, ang Presidente ay tutol sa divorce. Ang sabi niya kawawa yung mga anak (He didn’t want to comment but since the House has already voted, the President is against divorce. He said he feels sorry for the children),” Roque said during a press conference in Camarines Sur.

Roque admitted that the President initially refused to comment on the divorce bill pending the debate in Congress.

The House of Representatives recently passed on second reading a bill that would allow divorce and provide affordable court proceedings.

Under the bill, married couples could obtain absolute divorce for several grounds, including abuse, infidelity, and irreconcilable differences. The measure also allows the divorced spouse to marry another person either by civil or religious ceremony. It also includes provisions for the care and custody of the children.

The Catholic bishops have appealed to Congress to reconsider the approval of the divorce bill due to concerns it might only lead to more marriage breakups.

The Philippines and the Vatican are the only two countries without divorce laws.